Sun Dec 08 01:11:57 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Rebels Seize Homs, Threatening Assad’s Rule

**Damascus, Syria (December 8, 2024)** – In a stunning turn of events, Syrian rebel forces, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, have seized control of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, marking a dramatic escalation of the ongoing civil war. The swift victory, achieved after a single day of fighting, sent shockwaves throughout the country and left President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule teetering on the brink of collapse.

Rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany declared Homs “fully liberated” early Sunday morning, claiming the release of over 3,500 prisoners from the city’s central prison. Thousands of jubilant Homs residents took to the streets, celebrating the army’s withdrawal and chanting slogans demanding Assad’s ouster. Reports from the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the government forces’ retreat, stating that Syrian troops and security agencies had withdrawn from the city, allowing rebels to enter various districts.

The rebel advance has extended beyond Homs. The pro-Iranian Hezbollah group withdrew its forces from the strategic city of Qusayr, a key supply route for the militia. Reports also indicate that the rebels are advancing towards Damascus, the capital city, prompting widespread panic among its residents. Shops are closing, and citizens are stocking up on supplies, fearing an impending battle. The Syrian government has denied reports that Assad has fled the country, asserting he remains in Damascus and continues to perform his duties.

The rapid rebel gains have sparked international concern. The White House expressed worries about the potential resurgence of the Islamic State and a humanitarian catastrophe. Several countries, including India and Poland, have issued travel advisories urging their citizens to leave Syria immediately. The UN has denied rumors of an evacuation.

Meanwhile, Russia and Iran, Assad’s main allies, called for an immediate end to hostilities. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blamed the US and the West for the situation, while maintaining that Russia continues to support the Syrian army. Turkey, which shares a border with Syria and has supported anti-Assad rebels in the past, stated a “new reality” has emerged in Syria and expressed hopes for peace. Former US President Donald Trump reiterated his call for US non-involvement in the Syrian conflict.

The situation remains highly volatile, with the rebels’ advance posing an unprecedented threat to Assad’s regime and raising the prospect of a significant shift in the Syrian conflict’s power dynamics. The UN’s special envoy for Syria has called for urgent talks in Geneva to facilitate an orderly political transition.

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